Transport & Logistics

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Leicester and Leicestershire’s transport and logistics sector employs 42,800 people and contributes £3bn in GVA to the local economy – predicted to rise by 25% by 2026.

 

The region forms the eastern side of the logistics ‘Golden Triangle’ – formed by the M1, M42 and M6 motorways – from where 95 per cent of the UK population can be accessed within a four-hour drive which makes it the ideal hub for logistics and distribution companies.

 

This has resulted in two of the UK’s largest hubs being established within Leicester and Leicestershire. Magna Park in Lutterworth is a leading 550-acre site, home to some of the UK’s largest companies and most significant exporters, including distribution centres for Asda, Britvic, BT and Argos; an onsite training and research centre is being planned.

 

The East Midlands Distribution Centre (EMDC) at Castle Donington offers 200,000 sq. m of logistics and distribution infrastructure for huge operations such as Marks and Spencers, Birlea and Interlevin.

 

From industrial, technological and pharmaceutical manufacturing to hauliers, Loughborough also offers logistics and distribution operations an excellent location with easy access to M1 J23 and the A6 corridor both north to East Midlands Airport and south to Leicester and the A46. 

 

Other large ‘hub’ distribution sites include Bardon Hill (Amazon), and DPD at Hinckley.

From an air freight perspective, East Midlands Airport is the UK’s busiest pure cargo airport and second only to Heathrow, handling over 320,000 tonnes of flown cargo every year as well as being the UK hub for DHL and UPS (two of the world’s top four air express freight operators) and support operations for TNT and Royal Mail. The adjacent East Midlands Gateway offers strategic rail freight, providing connections throughout the UK and Europe.

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